Written by:
Amber Delgado
If I use the words "environment" and "racing" in the same sentence, how many of you will click to another story? Tell you what, give me two minutes to try and make that subject half-way interesting.
Those of us who are old enough can vividly remember, during the so-called "Energy Crisis" of 1973, influential people arguing that racing is a loud and extravagant waste of fuel. Now, with gas prices and environmental concerns again on the rise, racing is scrambling to get ahead of the curve.
For example, Brian France said recently that NASCAR must continue its leadership role in developing alternative fuel strategies. That's from the leader of a series that only this year switched from regular to unleaded!
You laugh, but that quote demonstrates that EVERY racing series in the world is scrambling to figure out its "green" position, because they all understand they're going to have to deal with the environmental issue one way or another.
This week I moderated a discussion among a bunch of motor sport heavy hitters - Mario Illien, co-founder of Ilmor; Herb Fishel, retired head of racing for General Motors, guys at that level - who were invited by Toyota to the Monterey Historics. Among the items discussed were the best-known "green racing" success story so far…Audi's Le Mans winning diesel, a textbook example of environmentally friendly technology developed and showcased in the crucible of high-profile racing. Toyota, meanwhile, is focused on hybrid technology, and in Japan recently, a hybrid-powered Supra claimed overall victory in the Tokachi 24-Hour Endurance race.
On the fuel front, non-diesel entries in the American Le Mans Series now race on an ethanol/gasoline blend.
And this year the IndyCar Series is running on 100% ethanol.
When I asked the panel of experts where "green racing" is headed, the news was good. They envision a future in which automakers use racing to develop a variety of alternative fuels and power systems, fast-tracking those technologies from idea to production. They think racing, which at least in this country has become largely an entertainment medium and an advertising tool, will again be technically relevant to the manufacturers. Thus racing could re-assume the valuable role it once played as a test bed for automotive technology. In short, the panel members view the environmental issue not as a threat to racing, but rather as an important window of opportunity. I enjoyed listening to them…and I certainly hope they're right.
